Michigan GOP Rep. Meijer loses primary to Trump-endorsed challenger Gibbs

Michigan Republican Rep. Peter Meijer, who supported impeaching then-President Donald Trump following the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, lost his primary to Trump-endorsed challenger John Gibbs.

The Associated Press called the race in Gibbs' favor with 51.9% of votes compared to Meijer's 48.1%. 

Meijer, a moderate Republican who was elected in 2020, is a member of the family who owns the Meijer grocery chain. He is one of ten Republicans who voted to impeach the former president after the riot.

Trump endorsed Gibbs in November 2021, calling Meijer a "RINO" – Republican in Name Only – who "has been a terrible representative of the Republican Party."

Before his campaign, Gibbs served as a Trump appointee at the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

"Just got a call from President Trump, congratulating me and my team on tonight’s big win! Thank you, Mr. President for your support!" Gibbs posted on Twitter after beating Meijer.

Gibbs now faces Democrat Hillary Scholten, a former Department of Justice attorney, this fall. Scholten lost to Meijer in 2020 by more than 6%.